Benin lead the Super Eagles 1-0 by the first half of this 2025 AFCON qualifier.
Big central defender Mohamed Tijani’s headed goal is the difference between both teams going into the break.
Nigeria controlled the game from the kick-off on a rainy day in Abidjan.
Alex Iwobi had a chance to put the Super Eagles in front after just nine minutes after he received a knockdown by Victor Osimhen right inside the six-yard box, but he failed to control the ball.
It was against the run of play that Tijani put the Cheetahs ahead in the 15th minute, when he headed home a short cross beyond a fumbling goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
It was poor defending by Nigeria as they allowed Tijani all he space in the world to power home his header.
The goal appeared to have rocked the Super Eagles as Benin came close to doubling their advantage but somehow they survived the scare.
In the 41st minute, Osimhen threw away the biggest chance of the night when he headed home a cross wide with the Benin goalkeeper completely beaten.
There is everything to play for after the break.
Osimhen suffers injury setback – TheTalk.NGGalatasaray today announced that Victor Osimhen has suffered a muscle injury during Sunday’s Turkish Super Lig clash at Sivasspor. “Victor Osimhen underwent an MRI examination which revealed a moderate strain and bleeding in the right posterior upper muscle group,” the Turkish champions reported. “Treatment for our player has been initiated.” The club further said no ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Calvin Bassey suspended for trip to Premier League toppers LiverpoolSuper Eagles defender Calvin Bassey is suspended for Saturday’s Premier League clash at table toppers Liverpool after he picked up his fifth booking of the season. An accumulation of five bookings attracts a one match ban in the Premier League. Bassey was booked for the fifth time in the 72nd minute in Sunday’s 1-1 home ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ NFF under scrutiny again after allegations of financial mismanagement and corruptionThe Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), also known as the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), has once again found itself embroiled in a web of financial recklessness, scandals, and misappropriation of government funds. The recent revelation of the mismanagement of a substantial sum of money meant to settle backlogs of bonuses, allowances, and salaries for national teams ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ Maduka Okoye injured, undergoes surgerySuper Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will undergo surgery for an injured wrist, his Italian club have announced. Okoye was injured during a game against Genoa and his club Udinese said he will now be operated on. This means the goalkeeper will miss today’s clash at Monza. It is not yet known how long he will ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶ EXCLUSIVE: Why Eguavoen may miss 2025 CHAN playoffsSCORENigeria can exclusively reveal that Super Eagles caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen is now in serious danger of missing out on the 2025 CHAN playoffs against arch-rivals Ghana. ‘Cerezo’ has been conspicuously missing at the Ikenne training camp of the CHAN Eagles preparatory to the final playoff against the Galaxies of Ghana. Coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and ...
Read more Continue reading here ▶